Oppression will continue if people do not take a stand

May 22, 2016 Letters

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Dear Editor,

There was a time in this country, at the level of government, where not to know what was happening in the area of responsibility was considered a travesty and persons held to account. In some instance time has regressed to the point where pretense to claim of not knowing is considered an acceptable form of justifying unsavoury conduct, and lending support to unsavoury acts.
Following the Georgetown Mayor and City Council’s (M&CC) treatment of vendors since this new council has been installed, its conduct reflects flagrant transgressing of rights, disregard for decency in civil engagements, the violation of laws, and refusal to accept that times have changed.
Let me make it very clear, lest what is said is misconstrued and focus is diverted from the thrust of my position: There is no opposition to the efforts of the M&CC to bring order to Georgetown and regularise the vending situation. There is opposition to these efforts being executed without regard for the laws, time-honoured principles, and respect for the rights of the vendors.
The vendors are a part of this nation’s formal economy and can be categorised as small business. There is no question about their legitimacy, given that the Council collects revenue from them and they are expected to pay same.  It also has to be recognised that this sector grew out of a need to engage in economic activities to sustain self and families, and providing a service to society whose  population needs and  wants are diverse, inclusive of the need for convenience and  respect for economic ability at given time.
Stabroek Market was built in the 1880s. Even with whatever expansion was done in the post period, the population and needs of the communities being served have outlived the size of the market. There are more people traversing Georgetown, with multiple preferences, diverse income brackets, and desirous of the goods and services being offered. No member of the council can admit to not patronising this sector, neither can the council denies the fees paid by this sector do not play a vital role in its function.  The vendors are responding to and satisfying the outlined conditions.
The vendors are not a nuisance to society. Their ingenuity to find economic opportunities for themselves and others when traditional avenues did not, and cannot accommodate them is to be applauded. The fact that the M&CC may not have handled this new sector from the standpoint of anticipating the varied population trends and needs and put systems in place to have trade takes place in a structured manner, in collaboration with the vendors through a consultative process, as against the occasional highhanded approaches, is not the fault of the vendors.
And whereas given what is taking place vendors may question the wisdom of their choice in casting a ballot for those who today threat them with contempt, it becomes over important to ensure this aspect of our economy is allowed to thrive, as any other. It is a non-excuse to hide behind claims that criminal activities are being conducted where persons are vending, hence the vendors have to be removed or their structures ruthlessly dismantled.
Where there is known presence of criminal activities or possibility of same occurring, it is the role of the M&CC to attend to this by improving their crime fighting techniques, not dispossessing those engaged in legitimate trade and those who desire to patronise them. The nation must not countenance incompetence by persons placed in positions of authority, who, instead of delivering quality services within the confines of the laws and time-honoured principles, are coming up with spurious excuses for not performing and respecting people’s rights.
On the issue of the matter of the shop at the Stabroek Market square which was dismantled by the M&CC and now it is being said by this body that it was unaware of a court case, hence justifying the act, is unacceptable. There is an existing dispute between the M&CC and the Ministry of Public Infrastructure as to ownership of the land which the M&CC would be aware of.  As such, until there is a court determination of ownership, the M&CC is out of order to ascribe to itself the authority to demolish the property thereon, under any condition.
The continued contempt for the rule of law that we are witnessing by the M&CC, has been pervasive, and is largely responsible for the mess this country has found itself in. This lawlessness must be addressed. The M&CC must be held accountable for its actions. There is no excuse for ignorance of the law, or using ignorance as an opportunity to commit dastardly acts against citizens of this country.
The contempt for citizens, their welfare, including the laws established to protect them will continue until the citizens stand up, take strident positions, and hold elected leaders accountable. In a representative democracy those elected are there to serve the people, not treat them like serfs and preside over them like lords.
Lincoln Lewis

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